Anti-Bullying

At St John the Evangelist CE Primary School we are committed to ensuring that children learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment without fear of being bullied. Bullying is anti-social behaviour and affects everyone; it is not acceptable under any circumstances; and is best prevented through an ethos based on mutual respect and equality. The raising of children’s self-esteem and self-confidence is central to the work and life of our school.

Definition of Bullying

The views of the children were taken into account to agree a school definition of bullying.  It was decided at St John the Evangelist CE Primary School that bullying is:

“Behaviour by an individual or a group, repeated over time, which intentionally hurts another person either physically or emotionally”

The children agreed that bullying was not when we fall out with our friends, when something happens that is an accident or when there is an isolated incident of someone being unkind or hurting someone else.

How do we educate the children about bullying?

At St John's we have a group of children who are trained as our Anti-bullying Ambassadors. These children work on behalf of their peers with leaders and teachers to ensure all children feel safe at school. The Anti-Bullying Ambassadors lead assemblies, survey the children, talk in circle time and plan other promotion events and competitions throughout the year.

The Anti-bullying Ambassadors have:

• Talked to all classes to find out what the school does well and needs to improve at
• Mapped the playground and outside space into zones based on pupils views of safe spaces
• Painted the outside benches, including a friendship bench
• Held a competition to design the buddy bus stop

Each half term as part of PSHE education, children learn about bullying and anti-bullying promotion using our school scheme of work. In addition, we take part in the national Anti-Bullying week each November.

Overarching Principles 

Our approach to anti-bullying is underpinned by the following principles:  

• All forms of bullying are unacceptable and will not be tolerated
• All incidents demand a serious response
• Early involvement of parents is essential
• Accurate records of all incidents, including the school’s response, will be kept
• Follow-up action will be taken after an incident to check that the bullying has not started again
• A consistent approach will be taken to any bullying incidents that occur
• All new pupils and parents will be made aware of our policy

Ways of Reporting Bullying

Pupils

If children witness bullying or feel they are being bullied, they are encouraged to tell any member of staff who must pass the information on to the headteacher or another senior leader. In addition, children are encouraged to talk to Anna Biddlecombe, the Child and Family Support Worker, if they have any concerns. 

When talking to an adult about bullying, children are encouraged to be clear about:

• What has happened to them
• How often it has happened
• Who was involved
• Whether anyone saw what happened
• Where it happened

Parents

Parents/carers have an important part to play in helping schools educate their children about bullying. Parents should support the school in teaching their children what bullying is and what bullying is not, using the agreed definition.

What parents should do if they think their child is being bullied or is bullying someone else:

• Listen and talk to your child.
• Most importantly, do not encourage your child to retaliate.
• Collect any evidence e.g. who did what, when, and what was said and done.
• Help your child to develop coping strategies and help to build their self-confidence.
• Make sure your child knows they are not to blame.
• Be clear that it is important for the bullying to stop and that for this to happen the school will need to be involved.
• Involve and consult your child in making a plan for what should be done and how to talk to school.
• Please inform the school as soon as possible.
• Reassure your child that that the school will deal with the matter sensitively but firmly.
• Support your child. Do not seek conflict with the suspected bully or family. Use the school as an intermediary.

Parents who are concerned that their child might be being bullied, or who suspect that their child may be the perpetrator of bullying, are encouraged to contact the school immediately. All concerns will be taken seriously.

Click here to view: Anti-bullying Policy

Pupils told us that bullying is unheard of because ‘everyone is very kind and caring’. Playtimes are positive, sociable occasions. OFSTED 2020